Why for LAL? They just need to trade Pau. Randolph gives them a win now, all-star caliber PF who'll bring some non Kobe mental toughness to the team.

Why for MEM? Risky move but if Pau snaps back to form in a place he feels comfortable with, with his brother, it could pay huge dividends. The talent of the Gay, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol frontcourt is just enormous. This is a "we're not going to win the title this year unless we do SOMETHING DRASTIC" move. Then after 2013-2014 they have cap flexibility to rebuild around Conley, Gay and Marc Gasol

Interesting idea and I think the Gasol brothers would be beasts together, but it doesn't save Memphis from the luxury tax does it? I think they'd still have to trade someone like Arthur or Bayless for nothing to get under, which would further decimate their bench (which Speights is a large part of). The Lakers would really need to add something here I'd think, but they have nothing to add of value and any other player will just mean further lux tax payments for the Grizz.

The trade can be adjusted to get them under the tax, sending Bayless back too would basically do it. Gasol's contract is big enough that the Lakers can take like 10 mil more in salary, if they're willing to pay it

I think MEM declines cause Gasols value is really low and Randolph has been a beast this year. It would be a big risk to just assume that he will start playing well again just from a change of scenery. Adding speights in makes MEM definitely decline IMO.

Biggest issue I see is the Grizz would have to send someone like Bayless or Arthur as well, so it comes down to Randolph plus 2 rotation players for Gasol, whose value is crap, is on a large contract, and is currently injured. I think if Gasol gets traded it will be for a lot more than people think, but this would leave the Grizz little depth, especially up front. I mean, I guess the Lakers could throw in Sacre, but I don't think he's better than Haddadi.

i guess I wouldn't be surprised if it went down, but damn the Lakers would be basically getting a get out of jail free card. Move Gasol, whose not fitting in and still owed some major money, for a near perfect fit next to Howard at the 4 and someone who brings more toughness, plus 2 rotation players.

Actually, maybe Speights could be routed somewhere for a meh player to LA and a pick to Memphis since Speights is basically Jordan Hill. Something along the lines of:

If this version keeps the Grizz over the tax I'm sure LA could take Smith. Really they probably should since Memphis would have no real need for him unless they wanted him. This at least gives Memphis some prospects, albeit meh ones, and some picks, though no firsts. LA replaces Gasol, gets a backup shooter and a strong backup point. Portland moves players they don't plan on keeping for an upgrade at backup PF/C.

You have to take into consideration that if the Grizzlies do pull the trigger on a trade like this it's because of CAP. Yes we know that ZBO has higher trade value than Gasol but at the same time, they're saving cash which is essentially what they want to do. Another thing to take into consideration is that ZBO has a 3 year contract, ruining the Lakers two-year plan which also brings up the point that the Grizzlies will have Pau off the books faster than they would have ZBO. Also Speights has a Bird Year so he has to accept the trade.

Lakers IN: ZBO,Bayless,HadaddiLakers Out: Ebanks,Jamison,Gasol

Memphis In: Gasol, Jamison, EbanksMemphis Out: ZBO, Bayless, Hadaddi

Lakers switch it up and get a decent back up point guardMemphis clears cap space and gets rid of 1 year on a contract. Gets rid of Hadaddi's contract as well which lakers will likely release

pacers33granger wrote:Biggest issue I see is the Grizz would have to send someone like Bayless or Arthur as well, so it comes down to Randolph plus 2 rotation players for Gasol, whose value is crap, is on a large contract, and is currently injured. I think if Gasol gets traded it will be for a lot more than people think, but this would leave the Grizz little depth, especially up front. I mean, I guess the Lakers could throw in Sacre, but I don't think he's better than Haddadi.

i guess I wouldn't be surprised if it went down, but damn the Lakers would be basically getting a get out of jail free card. Move Gasol, whose not fitting in and still owed some major money, for a near perfect fit next to Howard at the 4 and someone who brings more toughness, plus 2 rotation players.

Actually, maybe Speights could be routed somewhere for a meh player to LA and a pick to Memphis since Speights is basically Jordan Hill. Something along the lines of:

If this version keeps the Grizz over the tax I'm sure LA could take Smith. Really they probably should since Memphis would have no real need for him unless they wanted him. This at least gives Memphis some prospects, albeit meh ones, and some picks, though no firsts. LA replaces Gasol, gets a backup shooter and a strong backup point. Portland moves players they don't plan on keeping for an upgrade at backup PF/C.

Take Morris out of the trade, Give the Lakers Speights and the Blazers Hill (Blazers need a better rebounder)

Why for the Grizzlies: They can move Gay and Randolph in one deal and still contend in the west. They Gasol brothers were unstoppable in London this past summer. They get Dudley and Beasley to replace Gay's scoring. Ebanks is just a filler he can be sent to the Suns if they want him.

MNRunLeft wrote:Don't know how anyone can say Pau has more value than ZBo right now, why are the Grizz adding value?

Yeah, this. And no, it's not a money saving trade, except by the simple of expedient of throwing an a productive backup and not getting anything back. You can make that deal with half a dozen teams in the league.

Given the Lakers' lack of young assets and picks I can't see any way to make this deal work.

"Kobe can't want $20 million more than winning another ring or two. So he must have made that decision...looking at this roster and seeing the potential for a contender in them"